Work is changing, and the increase in remote contingent workers is just one of the reasons why. A new article from Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) outlines how every employer can take small steps to make remote contingent workers feel valued and included in their teams.
Review a few things you and your team can do to be sure your remote workers know they’re truly appreciated no matter where they work.
1. Understand Remote Contingent Workers Are Crucial
Temporary workers are critical for organizations of all types, serving the public and private sectors alike. Whether working during peak seasons or on special projects, contingent workers enable organizations to provide continuity of service and exceptional quality for customers.
Create a workplace culture that embraces remote contingent workers. Emphasize to your long-term employees how remote contingent labor eases backlogs and enables your organization to complete projects quickly. By uniting teams to see on-site and remote contingent workers as partners, you’ll create a reliable, dynamic team primed for success.
2. Send a Welcome Package
Though you may need to slightly adapt your onboarding procedures to accommodate remote contingent workers, ensuring a small gift or welcome package is part of that process extends a friendly greeting. If you normally take new employees out to lunch on their first day, consider sending a restaurant gift card to remote hires to make their first few days on the job special.
3. Get Social with New Remote Hires
Taking time to introduce new remote hires by email or company intranet is a great way to break the ice. Be sure to include the new hire’s name, department, and interesting info about that person, like their favorite way to spend the weekend or the best vacation they’ve ever taken. These simple steps can create instant connections even from a distance and help entire teams work toward a single goal.
4. Cross the Digital Divide
The past few years have seen a spike in virtual meetings in the workplace. Don’t let that tech be a passing trend for your business; continue to use video conferencing capabilities to help remote temporary workers feel included and engaged during team meetings, company announcements, and team celebrations.
5. Keep Lines of Communication Open
Be sure regular communication with remote temporary workers is a cornerstone of your operation. Schedule meetings with remote workers at regular intervals to communicate department updates, review process changes, and stay connected to how temporary workers are feeling. Emphasize that hiring managers are always available for questions or concerns, and remote contingent workers will know their contributions are appreciated.
Remote But Never Removed
The past few years have shown remote work is likely to increase for specific labor categories. As more workers accomplish their tasks from home, ensure your policies for including remote contingent labor stay adaptive and flexible. Remote temporary workers are critical across industries, and investing in their employee experience can bring long-lasting benefits to employers.
